"Two knights bore all before them," said Gawaine. "Both carried white shields, and one wore on his helmet a red sleeve, as some fair lady's token. Never saw I a man before do such mighty deeds, and his fellow seconded him nobly."
"Blessed be God that that knight did so well," broke out Elaine, "for he is the first man I ever loved, and shall be the last."
"You know him then?" said Gawaine. "Pray tell me his name."
"That I know not, nor whence he came; but this I truly know, that I love him, and that the token he wore was mine. This, and this only, I can justly affirm."
"This is a strange story," said Gawaine. "What knowledge have you of him? and how came you to know him?"
In response, she told him how the knight had left his shield with her, and taken that of her brother, with what else she knew.
"I would thank you much for a sight of that shield," said Gawaine.
"I have it in my chamber, covered with a case, and will send for it," said Elaine.
When the shield was brought Gawaine removed the case, and at sight he knew it to be Lancelot's shield.
"Ah, mercy!" said Gawaine, "the sight of this makes my heart heavy."